Sign Regulations in Adamstown Borough, Pennsylvania
Adamstown Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 15 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Off-Premises Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Adamstown Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Adamstown Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft or the building height limit in the zone, whichever is less | 80 sq ft (per side) | Setback from street right-of-way/property line at least equal to sign height. |
| Off-Premises Sign | — | 20 sq ft | See specific location requirements under additional_requirements |
| Name or Address Sign / Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
15
- Freestanding Sign
- Wall Sign
- Off-Premises Sign
- Name or Address Sign / Home Occupation Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Adamstown Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In Adamstown Borough, monument signs are limited to 35 ft or the building height limit in the zone, whichever is less. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Adamstown Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Adamstown Borough, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Off-Premises Sign, Name or Address Sign / Home Occupation Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Adamstown Borough, monument signs typically require a Setback from street right-of-way/property line at least equal to sign height. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Adamstown Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Adamstown Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Adamstown Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Adamstown Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 15 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Highway Commercial District (HC), Industrial District, Mixed Use District zoning district are capped at 35 ft or the building height limit in the zone, whichever is less tall and 80 sq ft (per side), with a Setback from street right-of-way/property line at least equal to sign height. setback (Sec. § 320-84I(1)-(2), § 320-85D, § 320-85F). Most commercial signs in Adamstown Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Adamstown Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Adamstown Borough (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway Commercial District (HC), Industrial District, Mixed Use District | 3 | 35 ft or the building height limit in the zone, whichever is less | 80 sq ft (per side) | — |
| Residential District | 3 | — | 3 sq ft (per side) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 20 sq ft (per side) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Adamstown Borough
Highway Commercial District (HC), Industrial District, Mixed Use District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft or the building height limit in the zone, whichever is less | 80 sq ft (per side) | — | Setback from street right-of-way/property line at least equal to sign height. | One per street frontage | On-premises, one per street frontage | — | Unlock | § 320-84I(1)-(2), § 320-85D, § 320-85F |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-premises, attached to building | — | Unlock | § 320-84I(3), § 320-85F |
| Off-Premises Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | See specific location requirements under additional_requirements | One per business per side of PA Route 272 | Only in HC District; one per business per side of PA Route 272; must be min. 100 ft from any other off-premises sign on same side of street; must not be within 150 ft of a dwelling or residentially zoned land; not attached to any other off-premises sign; not attached to another off-premises sign. | — | Unlock | § 320-84J |
Residential District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name or Address Sign / Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises only | — | Unlock | § 320-84H, § 320-82A(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business or Industrial) | — | 3 sq ft (per side) | — | Setback from street right-of-way/property line at least equal to sign height. | One per street frontage | On-premises, one per street frontage | — | Unlock | § 320-84I(1)-(2), § 320-85D, § 320-85F |
| Wall Sign (Business or Industrial) | — | 3 sq ft or 10% of wall area (whichever is less) | — | — | — | Attached to building | — | Unlock | § 320-84I(4)-(5), § 320-85F |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-Premises Real Estate Sign | — | 10 sq ft (per side) | — | — | — | On property for sale or rent | — | Unlock | § 320-84B |
| On-Premises Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft (per side) | — | — | 2 per 500 ft of street frontage | On property in process of development | — | Unlock | § 320-84C |
| Contractor/Mechanic/Artisan Sign | — | 20 sq ft (per side) | — | — | One per street frontage | On property where work is being performed | — | Unlock | § 320-84D |
| Public Institution Sign | — | 20 sq ft (per side) | — | — | Two per street frontage | On property of public recreation area, school, college, church, hospital, or similar institution | — | Unlock | § 320-84E |
| Property Control Sign | — | 6 sq ft (per side) | — | — | — | On property | — | Unlock | § 320-84F |
| Civic/Social/Fraternal Organization, Hospital, Farm, Estate Sign | — | 20 sq ft (per side) | — | — | One per street frontage | On same lot as organization/home/farm/estate | — | Unlock | § 320-84G(1)-(3) |
| Temporary Off-Premises Directional Sign (Real Estate/Event) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 320-84K |
| Temporary Civic/Religious Group Sale or Event Sign | — | — | — | — | Two per premises | — | — | Unlock | § 320-84L |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Adamstown Borough are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Adamstown Borough
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to vehicular and pedestrian traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
- No sign or sign-bearing structure other than official traffic signs and public utility signs necessary for the operation, identification or protection of public utility facilities shall be erected within or extend into the right-of-way of a public road.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this section, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation. The Borough may recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal.
- The following signs shall not be permitted, erected or maintained in any district: Signs with flashing, moving or changing illumination or sign faces, or with illumination which varies in intensity or color; signs with any visible moving part, revolving parts or mechanical movement of any description, or other visible movement achieved by electrical pulsations or by actions of wind currents, except when not visible from motor vehicles traveling on public roadways.
- Electronic screen signs (such as LCD or LED screens) are prohibited within clear sight of public roadways, except when used as necessary traffic control devices by either Adamstown Borough or PennDOT as per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- No part of any sign shall be more than 35 feet in height or more than the maximum height limitation for buildings within the zoning district, whichever is less.
- Signs must be setback from all street rights-of-way and property lines at least the distance equal to or greater than the height of the sign.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair.
- All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of any building and electrical codes as adopted by the Borough.
- Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming to ordinance requirements, all signs must be constructed of permanent materials and be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure.
- Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only lights emitting a constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights or any moving element, except to show time and/or temperature.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device may cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance by being directed at public streets, highways, sidewalks, or adjacent premises.
- All signs shall adhere to Act 360 of the State of Pennsylvania regarding the placement of signs on utility poles.
- No sign or signs, photographic, pictorial, or other graphic representation, that depict in whole or in part acts or simulated acts of sexual intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, bestiality, oral copulation, flagellation, or any sexual acts prohibited by law, or images of genitals or any graphic illustrations pertaining to specified sexual activities and/or specified anatomical areas shall be placed in such a location as can be viewed from any public street.
Exempt Signs in Adamstown Borough
- Signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic; street name signs; warnings at railroad crossings; and other official signs authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body.
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance.
- Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the property.
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message.
- Traffic control signs on private property, such as 'Stop,' 'Yield' and similar signs, meeting PennDOT standards and containing no commercial message.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Adamstown Borough
- No explicit requirements for a master sign plan, sign plan, or special sign variance meeting are stated in these sections.
- Signs not specifically provided for in the ordinance may be approved by the Zoning Hearing Board as a special exception, and must be generally consistent in size and height with permitted signs in the zoning district.
Source: ecode360 municipal code